International Rescue Committee
The Emergency Response Team (ERT) Cash & Basic Needs Coordinator is a full-time position, responsible for leading cash and basic needs programming in acute emergency responses. This may include rapid assessment, program start-up, strategy development, proposal development, technical oversight, staff recruitment and management, budget management, grants compliance, and local partner relations. In addition to leading the assessment, design, and implementation of high-quality programs to meet basic needs and food security outcomes – most often through cash and voucher (CVA) programs – this position will support other IRC programs to incorporate CVA approaches into their programming following the IRC’s global “Cash First” approach. The IRC recognizes that people affected by crisis and the actors closest to them are best placed, have the right, and should have the power and resources to respond and drive lasting change. We commit to ask ‘Why not partner?’ whenever we plan programming and to partner as equals. That requires that we champion and resource leadership and action that comes from the communities in which we work.
ERT staff can expect to engage in response-centered work approximately 65% of the fiscal year, inclusive of in-country and remote emergency assignments. When not deployed in these responses, the ERT Cash and Basic Needs Coordinator will contribute to IRC’s strategic objectives and technical workstreams including supporting CVA readiness, designing implementation and assessment tools and resources, developing and providing technical trainings for partners and colleagues, and collecting and analyzing learning from emergency responses. A successful candidate will demonstrate a track record of working independently in fast-paced environments and applying creative, flexible solutions in humanitarian contexts.
Major Responsibilities:
1. Emergency Responses (65% level of effort)
When deployed to emergency responses, the ERT Cash and Basic needs Coordinator will:
• Following specific Terms of Reference documents, be responsible for successful start-up and implementation of cash and basic needs programs in emergencies; both within existing country programs and in completely new country responses. The position will be heavily involved in supporting both direct and partner-led program delivery, assisting teams in trouble-shooting implementation challenges, and using monitoring data to improve program designs.
• Provide strategic direction and overall technical and management support to addressing emergency basic needs focusing on a fast response with considerations for livelihoods protection and future economic development and stability as part of the IRC’s Economic Wellbeing outcome programming.
• Advise and assist in designing new programs, including identifying business development opportunities, supporting the conceptualization/design of program activities and developing theory of chances; drafting or providing substantial input into technical proposals and concept notes including developing budgets and logical frameworks for international donors; designing monitoring frameworks and ensuring accountability to affected populations, and responding to any requests for additional information as needed.
• Champion a culture of effective and respective partnerships. Promote partner-led programming in line with IRC’s “why not partner?” approach.
1.1 Context evaluation
• Following the onset of an emergency, assist in understanding its impact via desk-based secondary data reviews, coordination with peer agencies and networks including the Collaborative Cash Delivery Network (CCD), and by supporting design and implementation of multi-sector needs assessments.
• Undertake, when necessary, feasibility assessments for CVA programming, including leading field-level data collection and analysis for needs, clients’ preference, local government acceptability, critical markets functionality, programmatic and operational risks, available payment mechanisms, transfer modalities and financial service providers. Utilize this information to support appropriate program design.
• Conduct stakeholder and partner analysis and continually review existing actor mapping to identify key actors and establish partnerships focused on the rapid delivery of cash and basic needs programs.
1.2 Program design and management
• Provide strategic direction, leadership and overall technical management of IRC’s emergency cash and basic needs programs in alignment with the response strategy and with IRC’s technical quality standards and approaches.
• Oversee IRC’s partnerships with local actors, ensuring co-design, regular exchange, capacity sharing, and project performance monitoring to achieve program objectives.
• Contribute to Partner Capacity Analysis (PCA) and the subsequent development of partner support plans for emergency program activities.
• Lead, in collaboration with operations colleagues, the tender and contracting process for Financial Service Providers (FSPs) identification and selection.
• Support the development, adaptation, and standardization of operating procedures for CVA and other assistance, and support linkages with regional finance and supply chain teams to deliver high quality programming.
• Develop and/or adapt technical tools and approaches including workplans, spending plans and distribution plans and deliver creative solutions to mitigate challenges in the operating context to facilitate response start-up and day-to-day implementation.
• Review partner technical tools, reports, and data; recommend adaptations or process improvements as required.
• Support the design, development, piloting and roll-out of measurement and data management systems in close collaboration with monitoring and evaluation and ICT staff at both regional and country levels, to ensure harmonized monitoring and evaluation (M&E) approaches and efficient data collection and management.
• Develop tools, resources and program guidance materials as needed to support quality program delivery.
• Ensure compliance with IRC policy and procedures throughout the program team and activities.
• Provide a comprehensive handover to successor, including ensuring transfer of all related documentation, program data, and staff performance information.
1.3 Grant and financial management
• Manage emergency grant program implementation, ensuring successful and timely delivery of projects.
• Develop high quality technical proposals with relevant staff in line with IRC and donors’ requirements.
• Ensure partnership considerations are incorporated in program design and proposal development and that partners are proactively engaged in program development efforts. Ensure appropriate budget resourcing for partner projects.
• Prepare high quality and timely donor and management reports on grants and sector activities.
1.4 Staff management
• Recruit, onboard, mentor and supervise emergency staff and provide ongoing training and targeted capacity building, including technical guidance, on the job coaching and supervision, and capacity development plans on technical and managerial skills.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions
• Develop and implement a capacity building plan to ensure all program, finance, IT and supply chain staff involved in CVA programming have appropriate knowledge and skills related to market-based programming.
1.5 Coordination and representation
• Represent and coordinate with other agencies, local government, donors and other stakeholders to promote deliver of best practice humanitarian assistance.
• Actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key actors, including donors, government actors, UN agencies, international and local NGOs, and other relevant actors.
• Regularly attend cash and basic needs coordination, working groups and task force meetings, at appropriate levels to feed in IRC priorities from the field.
• Support media and communications activities as requested the supervisor or emergency lead.
2. Technical support and guidance (35% level of effort)
When not deployed, the ERT Cash and Basic Needs Coordinator will:
• Contribute to IRC’s strategic priorities for cash and basic needs in emergencies including: developing or refining emergency program models, toolkits, and technical guidance; supporting emergency preparedness and readiness; contributing to integrated and multi-sectoral program design, etc.
• Support country and regional efforts on emergency preparedness and readiness for rapid implementation of CVA, including possible country visits to lead training and other sessions.
• Provide technical support, coaching, and backstopping to both direct and partner-led emergency responses in countries with existing IRC programming, as needed.
• Support program learning to identify improvements across emergency responses and compile case studies.
• Participate in cross-departmental collaboration and coordination with operations teams and cash Technical Advisors to ensure speedy delivery of quality CVA in emergencies, addressing operational and programmatic bottlenecks and other challenges.
• Contribute to delivery of IRC’s Emergency and Humanitarian Action strategic action plan and commitments to partnerships, safeguarding, and Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (DEI)
Job Requirements:
• Ability to commit to deploy within 72 hours of notification of assignment for up to 12 weeks, with extensions possible.
• Undergraduate degree in international affairs, humanitarian work, food security, agriculture or related field, and technical accreditation or equivalent relevant working experience; Master’s degree considered an asset.
• At least five years’ experience working in food security and basic needs programming at a Coordinator level or above required, with consistent track record of successfully managing multi-donor portfolios in acute emergency response, program and project start-up, and strong expertise in CVA.
• Proven experience in the humanitarian or development sector with progressive management and decision-making responsibility, including substantial international experience implementing livelihoods activities. Experience working in diverse emergency, recovery post-conflict or development contexts across countries and regions preferred.
• Experience in direct implementation of programs, including CVA, basic needs and food security.
• Demonstrated genuine interest in and commitment to collaboration and partnership with local actors for effective emergency response. Experience in supporting partner organizations in implementing programs.
• Experience working with IRC and an understanding of IRC’s systems and processes is strongly preferred
• Demonstrated skills in effectively running and building programs and/or operations in high-pressure, fluid environments. Leadership and team management skills are crucial.
• Prior success managing in an emergency environment and/or start-up environment as part of a multinational team.
• Excellent communication skills including delivering presentations to professional, lay and donor audiences.
• Shown writing and editing skills, including writing, and editing grant proposals and reports.
• Effective people and program management skills: the ability to train, lead and manage staff productively under stressful circumstances.
• Good digital literacy: Facility with MS Word, Excel, and email/internet software.
• Fluency in English and working knowledge of French, Arabic, and/or Spanish required.
• Flexible, focused, and reliable in an environment of changing demands.
• Excellent interpersonal skills involving listening to, interacting with, and communicating clearly with people from diverse nationalities and backgrounds with a high degree of professionalism and pro-activity.
How to apply
https://rescue.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/47040?c=rescue